but of course the hard work probably won't get done until lawmakers return to washington. that is expected to happen after the christmas holiday. now, this was, of course, a big topic of conversation on all of the morning shows. here's what senator lindsey graham had to say on "meet the press" earlier. take a listen. >> to my republican colleagues, the ronald reagan model is if you get 80% of what you want, that's a pretty good day. we had the same objective of lowering taxes. i like simpson bowles, eliminate taxes, lower the rates, put money on the debt. >> senator graham calling for compromise there. an interesting factoid, alex. the last time members of congress worked between christmas and the new year's was 1996, and that was of course during the government shutdown. it gives you a sense of just how rare and unique this situation is. of course there is a lot of pressure on congress, on the president to get something done, because if the country does go over the fiscal cliff, a lot of economists have warned that it could send the economy back into recession. but more i